Travel budget on the island of Sumatra

Sumatra: calculate your travel budget

Sumatra: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday on the island of Sumatra for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 17 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 4.5 per person
  • $ 1.4 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 397* (6569122 IDR)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 32 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 9 per person
  • $ 2.5 per person
  • $ 3.8 per person

Total budget:

$ 863* (14280686 IDR)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 50 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 13 per person
  • $ 4.5 per person
  • $ 7.5 per person

Total budget:

$ 1385* (22903496 IDR)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living on the island of Sumatra in 2025

Cost of living: Sumatra VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living on the island of Sumatra in 2025 is 58% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%-68%-68%-80%-80%-58%-58%-58%-58%-70%-70%-12%-12%Price variation between Sumatra and United States in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-100-80-60-40-200

Cost of living on the island of Sumatra by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities on the island of Sumatra compared to the national average.

Cities /Sumatra View Details
Batam 33% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Batam
Pekanbaru 21% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Pekanbaru
Bandar Lampung 5% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Bandar Lampung
Medan 3% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Medan
Banda Aceh 2% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Banda Aceh
Palembang 2% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Palembang



Local prices on the island of Sumatra by expense type

Sumatra: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant on the island of Sumatra costs 68% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices on the island of Sumatra compared to United States212139391313662.22.25.85.83.43.41.61.6United StatesSumatraLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer024681012141618202224262830323436384042
Lunch
Lunch
$ 2.2/person
($ 0.7 to $ 4.2)

88% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 5.8/person
($ 3.9 to $ 6.5)

85% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 3.4/person
($ 2.9 to $ 3.9)

71% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Local beer
Local beer
$ 1.6 for 500ml
($ 1.6 to $ 3.9)

72% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 3.3 for 330ml
($ 2 to $ 5.9)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 2.3/cup
($ 1.3 to $ 3.3)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 0.5/can
($ 0.4 to $ 0.6)

81% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.4/bottle
($ 0.2 to $ 0.4)

86% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Sumatra: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget on the island of Sumatra costs 80% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices on the island of Sumatra compared to United States16816824824834934917917925625625253838636332322424United StatesSumatra2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house0100200300255075125150175225250275325350375
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 25/night
($ 11 to $ 175)

86% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 25/night
($ 8.2 to $ 160)

85% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 38/night
($ 15 to $ 139)

84% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 248
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 63/night
($ 36 to $ 171)

82% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 349
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 72/night
($ 43 to $ 201)

87% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 570
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 32/month
($ 19 to $ 84)

82% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 179
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 66/month
($ 35 to $ 191)

75% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 266
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 65/month
($ 26 to $ 255)

71% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 24/month
($ 11 to $ 104)

90% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 256
Family room
Family room
$ 94/month
($ 25 to $ 308)

57% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Sumatra: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food on the island of Sumatra costs 58% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices on the island of Sumatra compared to United States4.44.413134.94.92.92.91.81.8440.90.90.70.7United StatesSumatraEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes01234567891011121314
Milk
Milk
$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 2.3)

32% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 2.5/500g
($ 1.8 to $ 3.3)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 7.3
Rice
Rice
$ 0.9/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 1.2)

78% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6
Eggs
Eggs
$ 1.8/12 eggs
($ 1.3 to $ 2)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4
Chicken
Chicken
$ 4/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 4.8)

67% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Apples
Apples
$ 2.5/kg
($ 1.4 to $ 3.3)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 0.9/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 1.6)

80% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 0.7/kg
($ 0.5 to $ 0.9)

74% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.5
($ 0.1 to $ 0.5)

77% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Sumatra: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport on the island of Sumatra costs 58% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices on the island of Sumatra compared to United States2.52.51.71.70.90.982820.40.40.20.20.90.95353United StatesSumatraBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire051015202530354045505560657075808590
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 0.4/ticket
($ 0.4 to $ 0.4)

86% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 0.2/km
( $ 0.2)

87% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 0.9/litre
($ 0.7 to $ 0.9)

1% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 0.6
($ 0.5 to $ 1.3)

83% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Car hire
Car hire
$ 53/24hrs
($ 43 to $ 79)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 82

Sumatra: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities on the island of Sumatra costs 70% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 3.8/ticket
($ 3.6 to $ 5.9)

75% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16
Tennis
Tennis
$ 7.5/hr
($ 5.2 to $ 9.7)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Sumatra: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget on the island of Sumatra costs 12% less than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 2.6/pack
($ 2.2 to $ 5.6)

73% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 71
($ 17 to $ 99)

32% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 46
($ 33 to $ 66)

5% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Melbourne → Bali
Melbourne → Bali
Melbourne → Bali
$ 470
(fair price: $ 0)
London → Bali
London → Bali
London → Bali
$ 935
(fair price: $ 835)
Sydney → Bali
Sydney → Bali
Sydney → Bali
$ 521
(fair price: $ 422)
Manchester → Bali
Manchester → Bali
Manchester → Bali
$ 1000
(fair price: $ 854)
London → Java (Jakarta)
London → Java (Jakarta)
London → Java (Jakarta)
$ 805
(fair price: $ 705)
Sydney → Java (Jakarta)
Sydney → Java (Jakarta)
Sydney → Java (Jakarta)
$ 712
(fair price: $ 597)



About the information on the cost of living on the island of Sumatra

The information about the cost of living on the island of Sumatra shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living on the island of Sumatra updated on 30-03-2025.

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